Hello! I am planning on entering a local college withing the next nine months. I am curious, but what is the average salary/benefits/pros&cons of a mycologist? Where is most of your time spent? Do ya just spend all your time wandering in the woods looking for mushrooms and slime?

It depends mostly on your level of education (BS, MS, PhD), experience in the field, and ability to present. Only about 10% of all research funds come from the government. The rest comes from private investments from complanies. You need to be able to make presentations to companies to convince them to invest in you.

In general, scientists who haven't got their PhD or a Nobel can make around $20-$40k a year. If you impress someone enough though, and you get your own lab to run, you can make upwards of $100k.

or you could set up a consultation service for local/state/federal law enforcement entities. When mushroom spores are found during a raid or routine policing activities they have to be grown and harvested to confirm the species beyond doubt. This information would then be used in a court of law.... could be an interesting side business if the labwork or professoring isn't cutting it.